Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882Various
Science
Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882
Various
Science -- Periodicals
One of the most extensive establishments for the purpose is that of
Messrs. Winter, in Vienna. They say to photographers in general: If
you will send us a portrait, either negative or positive, we will
produce you an enlargement on canvas worked up in monochrome. The
success of their undertaking lies in the circumstance that they do not
produce colored work--or, at any rate, it is exceptional on their part
to do so--but devote their efforts to the production of an artistic
portrait in brown or sepia. In this way they can make full use of the
dark brown photograph itself; there is less necessity for tampering
with the enlarged image, and natural blemishes in the model itself
maybe softened and modified, without interfering much with the true
lines of face and features. The monotone enlargements of Messrs.
Winter, again, exquisitely as most of them are finished, do not appear
to provoke the opposition of the painter; they do not cross his path,
and hence he is more willing to do them justice. Many a would-be
purchaser has been frightened out of his intention to buy an
enlargement by the scornful utterance of an artist friend about
"painted photographs," and in these days of cheap club portraits there
is certainly much risk of good work falling into disrepute. But a
well-finished portrait in monotone disarms the painter, and he is
willing to concede that the picture has merit.
"We cannot use English canvas, or 'shirting,' as you call it," said
one of our hosts; "it seems to contain so much fatty matter." The
German material, on the other hand, would appear to be fit for
photography as soon as it had been thoroughly worked in hot water and
rinsed. Here, in this apartment, paved with red brick, we see several
pieces of canvas drying. It is a large room, very clean, here and
there a washing trough, and in one corner two or three large
horizontal baths. The appearance is that of a wash-house, except that
all the assistants are men, and not washerwomen; there is plenty of
water everywhere, and the floor is well drained to allow of its
running off. We are to be favored with a sight of the whole process,
and this is the first operation.
Into one of the horizontal baths, measuring about 5 by 4 feet, is put
the salting solution. It is a bath that can be rocked, or inclined in
any direction, for its center rests upon a ball-and-socket joint. It
is of _papier mache_, the inside covered with white enamel. Formerly,
only bromine salts were employed, but now the following formula is
adopted:
Bromide of potassium................... 3 parts.
Iodide of potassium.................... 1 part.
Bromide of cadmium..................... 1 "
Water................................ 240 parts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account